Top Ten Reveals at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

Despite a shaky economy and a rougher-than-rough 2008 for automakers, the 2009 Detroit Auto Show had some great concepts, slick sedans and plenty of EVs, hybrids and diesels. But only a handful of these cars could truly be considered the stars of this show. There was serious debate between the PM auto staff about which cars had the most striking design, which ones had the most impressive powertrains and which were the most significant overall. In the end we came up with a mix of vehicles that we think stand apart from the over three dozen production cars and concepts launched over the past two days at the show. Here are our top ten reveals from the most important auto show in North America and why we chose them.

What is It:

The Spark is a microcar about the same size as a Smart. Chevy unveiled a trio of small car at the 2007 New York Auto Show and told potential buyers to vote on which they liked best. The Spark (formerly know as the Beat) won out over the others.

Why it Matters:

Microcars are coming to the US from just about every manufacturer within the next couple years. Instead of waiting to see if the trend grabs a foothold--and then rushing a car too quickly to market--GM identified the trend early and will have the beat on sale in 2011.

What's Next:

The name of this car was changed from "Beat" to "Spark" Hmmm. GM didn't mention the powertrain this car would use, but with a name like Spark, we're guessing GM will offer a pure battery-electric plug-in version of the car for urban dwellers.

What is It:

Fisker's Karma sedan concept was one of the hits of Detroit last year. But everyone wondered if the car, and it's range-extended plug-in powertrain (using a 260 hp turbocharged GM Ecotec four-cylinder as a generator to charge the battery pack) was live or Memorex. Well at Detroit this year, Fisker showed the production version of the sedan as well as this convertible concept. And under the hood we did see, with our own eyes, an Ecotec engine. We've also seen spy photos of the car testing. The $87,900 luxury sedan will be built in Finland at the same plant that assembles Porsche Boxsters.

Why it Matters:

If Fisker can bring his Karma sedan to production, as promised, and deliver a 50-mile electric-only range, we'll have the world's first luxury plug-in, range-extended sedan. We're excited to see that happen.

What's Next:

The company says the Karma's unique vehicle architecture is highly flexible, allowing them to build a shortened wheelbase convertible, like this concept, or perhaps even a crossover vehicle further down the line.

What is It:

Jaguar has spent years chasing BMW and Mercedes-Benz's hottest sedans with cars that just didn't have enough oomph. So now the company has launched the 510 hp XFR. The all-new 5.0-liter supercharged V8 should be enough to take the Jag to 60 in just 4.7 seconds--with a torque curve that's reportedly as flat a Kansas.

Why it Matters:

In the rarefied air of the super sedan class, power matters. And Jaguar has closed the gap on BMW's 500 hp V10 powered M5 and Mercedes-Benz's 507 hp E63 AMG. There won't be many of these on the road, so for the lucky few, this XFR will be one very unique and very posh way to blow those German sedans into the weeds.

What's Next:

The XFR sits at the top of Jaguar's power pyramid. But on the flipside of the XF model range, we'd like to see the new Diesel S version come to the States with its 443 lb.-ft. of torque, 0-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds and especially its 35-MPG.

What is It:

The lines between sedan, coupe and wagon are blurring more and more each year. Audi's Sportback Concept is technically a wagon, with its rear hatch like the BMW X6, but in silhouette it looks more like a four door coupe. Beneath the hood there's the same 225 hp 3.0-liter TDI diesel that comes in the Audi Q7. In this lower, more aerodynamic package, Audi says the engine will help this car return 37 mpg.

Why it Matters:

Coupe-like four-door wagons may become the hot new crossover trend. And this concept is quite mod. But the trick for automakers will be maximizing the useable interior space despite the sleek profile. This concept has around 18 cu.-ft. of cargo space, which is about the same as a large sedan. Not bad, but not great either. We'd bet a production version would offer even more hauling ability.

What's Next:

This Sportback Concept will come to our shores in modified from, as the new Audi A7. The European market will get an A7 Avant (wagon). But we hear the production car we get will be an A7 sedan with a traditional trunk--and that's just fine with us.

What is It:

Everyone knew the updated 2010 Mustang would eventually lead to another limited edition Shelby Mustang. And here it is, wearing bold stripes, fat tires and a supercharged V8 under the hood that delivers a rather stunning 540 horsepower. A further shot of straight-line speed comes from shorter gears in the solid-axle rear diff. And a few suspension tweaks like firmer springs and a re-sized front roll bar are there to make the GT500 a better handler too.

Why it Matters:

The Mustang is an American musclecar tradition--and so is Carroll Shelby. It's likely that with looming fuel economy standards, cars like this 540 horsepower Mustang will be put on the endangered species list. But right now, it's the perfect ride to take on all the new Challenger and Camaro.

What's Next:

The GT500, with its big 5.4-liter blown V8 probably won't help Ford meet the fuel economy regulations of the future. But the good news is Ford's new Ecoboost V6 produces 355 hp in plain-vanilla family car trim. That means engineers could probably crank up the turbo boost for Mustang duty and create one really fun, really well-balanced nearly 400 hp Mustang--with descent fuel economy.

What is It:

The S60 Concept is a coupe-like four door sedan inspired by cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the VW Passat CC. It's a pillarless design, so there's no post to separate the front and rear passenger doors adding to the sleek lines. There's a modest 1.6-liter four-cylinder under the hood, but thanks to direct-injection, stratified-charge combustion and stop/start technology like a hybrid, it makes 180 hp and burns less fuel than a conventional engine. To aid fuel economy, there's even a grill shutter that closes as speed rises to improve aerodynamic performance.

Why it Matters:

We are not only smitten by the styling of this car, which looks stunning in the metal on the show floor, but we also like that Volvo is experimenting with fuel saving engine technology. Plug-in hybrids may be the buzz-worthy technology these days but for the foreseeable future, we'll still need internal combustion engines.

What's Next:

The S60 Concept is a clear representation of what the next S60 will look like when it arrives next year. We expect the production car gets the direct-injected engine but probably not the more exotic fuel-saving tech.

What is It:

This Chrysler concept was one of the few surprises at the show. The 200C EV is a large, elegant, rear-drive sedan concept that uses a range-extended plug-in hybrid power like the Chevy Volt. Chrysler says it can hit 60 mph in 7 seconds, drive for 40 miles on electric only power and cruise for 400 miles without refueling.

Why it Matters:

Rear drive large sedans are a part of American heritage. And the current Chrysler 300C and Dodge Charger sedans are some of the best of the breed. This concept points to a future where we can enjoy large roomy cars--that sip fuel like much smaller ones. We also dig the simple, muscular and very modern lines of this design.

What's Next:

This design is just too good to be wasted on a concept car. The next-generation production Chrysler large sedans are due within two years, so it's likely that a toned-down version of this 200C will be the next 300C production car.

What is It:

The BlueSport is a rear-drive roadster concept about the same size as a Mazda Miata and weighing around 2600 pound. Yet this sports car concept has a 2.0-liter TDI under its hood so it delivers fuel economy around 42 mpg and provides enough low rpm diesel thrust to push it to 60 mph in 6.2 seconds.

Why it Matters:

In the not-too-distant future, sports cars will need to be fuel-efficient and still bring the kind of sweaty-palmed acceleration drivers demand. This concept appears to have both bases covered. Oh, and its one of the sleekest designs at the show this year too--looking a bit like a scaled down Audi R8.

What's Next:

Now that Porsche owns a controlling stake in the company, would they ever allow lowly VW to build a car that could challenge a Boxster for half the price and deliver twice the fuel economy? Oh, we hope so.

What is It:

Think of the Cadillac Converj as the Caddy version of the up-coming Chevy Volt. It uses the same extended-range plug-in technology as the Chevy but wraps it in drop-dead gorgeous sheetmetal. In fact we think it looks an awful lot like the stunning Cadillac Cien supercar concept from 2002. The Converj has a glass roof with solar panels to power accessories and a flat underbelly to aid aerodynamics.

Why it Matters:

The Converj shows that GM will likely use the Volt's technology across a number of its brands, both here and in Europe. By expanding the potential volume of batteries and related systems, the company lowers cost. It also brings the technology to more people--sooner. A Cadillac version of the Volt, could pioneer the "Second" or even the "Third" generation of battery technology that GM says can provide snappier off the line acceleration and more electric range. Once more expensive and profitable models from brands like Cadillac are launched GM could conceivably get the Volt into more households at a less expensive price point. And that's good news.

What's Next:

We doubt the Converj, as it sits on the show floor here at Detroit, will be the car Cadillac sells with the Volt's powertrain--it's just a concept. And it will likely look quite a bit different after it goes into the wind tunnel for testing. But we expect to see a Cadillac version of the Volt within a couple years of the Volt's 2010 launch.

What is It:

The all-new, third generation Toyota Prius hits the road this spring with a larger 1.8-liter engine and an improved hybrid-drive system. Through careful aerodynamic tuning (a low .25 Cd) and a lightweighting of the drivetrain components, Toyota has created a new Prius that's quicker than before (0-60 mph in a claimed 9.8-seconds) yet, according to Toyota it will hit 50 MPG combined. Impressive.

Why it Matters:

The Prius is the car that most people think of when they hear the word hybrid. It was the car that inspired other automakers to re-think their product portfolio and it is the yardstick for measuring hybrid performance. In a social climate where fuel efficiency and a consciousness about the environment have become mainstream, the Prius was the most anticipated car launch at Detroit this year and was handily the most significant production car at the show.

What's Next:

This new Prius has been designed from the beginning to be a plug-in hybrid. In place of the nickel-metal hydride battery packs, Toyota will at some point within the next two years, offer a plug-in version and install lithium-ion battery packs they are developing with partner Panasonic. Exact timing is uncertain, but we'd guess that by this time next year you'll be reading about the details about the plug-in version of this car.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
Popular Mechanics participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.